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Monday, 15 June 2015

****************************************************************** You can find our June Challenge....HERE

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Mixed Media Canvas.

Hi Everyone, it's my turn to share my June project tutorial with you all. May I be cheeky and suggest you grab a coffee or two and pull up a chair...as this tutorial is quite long and definitely picture heavy...
My tutorial is for my Mixed Media Canvas that I made for our challenge this month...I hope you enjoy it.

Everyone's style is different and this is just the way I do mine...I'm not here to teach, I just wanted to share "my way" with you all.

To start I collected all the items I needed for the first stage as you can see in the photo below.
My canvas is 12"x 12", but if you have never attempted this style of mixed media on a canvas before, it would be better for you to start with a smaller canvas.
I would recommend using a deep edged canvas as once they are finish they can be quite heavy, the deeper edged canvas tend to keep their shape better than the thin or cheaper ones. It is worth paying attention to that as it will be something that you may want to keep or sell.

You can use the textured or smooth Gesso, it's up to you, I actually used both. Wipes are a must to wipe your hands between stages and you will also need them when spraying your inks at the end.

I have used a genuine photo on my canvas (my godmother's wedding from way back in the early 50's)

I used mod podge to adhere the photo to the canvas, then left it to dry overnight...of course you don't have to use a photo, you can use anything as your focal point. You can also photo copy a photo and use that rather than a genuine photo, make sure that it is completely dry before using it though otherwise the ink will smear.

The next stage was to lightly brush over the photo with mod podge, ensuring the edges of the photo get a good seal...again this was left for a while to dry completely...before adding another coat.

(Tip....The edges of the photo must be sealed so your inks don't run underneath and cause air bubbles under the image.)

While I was waiting for the mod podge to dry, I collected the bits and pieces that I would be using on my canvas, although I did add extra bits as I went along...

Here you can see the lace,beads button,flowers,pegs,all sorts of stuff, including bits of jewellery.

(Tip.... if you use any metal items that may be prone to rust, then give them one or two coats of mod podge to seal them.)

Here I have started to add the scrim/cheesecloth, using mod podge, then added some chicken wire shaped grey board.

As you can see by the photo above, I have now added some lace and trims...I actually used my hot glue gun to adhere them to the canvas and then dabbed over it all with mod podge,

Now it's time to add all the treasures, this is such a fun part....you can use a strong glue of your choice to keep the pieces in place,or like me use hot glue.The pieces must be secure and not wobble about.

( Tip....personally I try to keep my pieces mainly horizontal or vertical as too many curves can make the finished canvas look untidy )

As you can see I have added more pieces to my canvas, I wasn't happy with the large paper clip that I had on the left side,so removed it at this point.

(Tip....I left my canvas on an easel in my lounge for a few days, this way I can see if I needed to add anything else...or remove any pieces.)

Now I am completely happy with all the elements on my canvas, I gave it a coat of gesso, making sure I got in to all the small areas where items have been glued.....I also used the textured gesso and kind of stippled it in some areas.

I left it to dry overnight, then gave it another 2 coats of the smooth gesso,making sure it was dry between coats.

I chose Silver and Raspberry Cosmic Shimmer Mist sprays and I also mixed up some Mica Powder in Mustard Gold for the main colours for my canvas. I also used Artiste Spritzing Ink in White, it has a gorgeous shimmer to it and covers a bit better than the white in the Cosmic Shimmer Mist.

I scrunched up 2 baby wipes and covered my photo, these sprays do tend to go everywhere.

I sprayed from the top right down to the bottom left and then sprayed the opposing corners in the mustard gold. I did use a heat tool to help with the drying, please be careful not to get too close as the gesso under the spray inks can bubble and blister.

I then resprayed the same areas....once dry I did spray for a third time.

Again once dry I added the silver spray to the corners, note the corners where the Raspberry colour is has now gone a lovely mauve shade, while the gold/green corners have gone silvery grey.

(Tip...drying between 2 different colour sprays,stops them from muddying)

(Tip....you will need to change the wipes covering the photo as they will have got quite inky...if you find any colour on your image,you can remove it with a clean wet wipe, the wipe won't affect your photo as it has been sealed with the mod podge.)

Leaving my canvas overnight to allow the inks to finish drying, some areas like under the flowers etc tend to stay a little damp even after using a heat gun....I then covered the photo with wipes and went all over the canvas with the Artiste White Spritzing Ink...I laid the canvas flat to dry for a couple of hours.

The edges of the canvas can be painted, or inked,the choice is yours...I dabbed mine with a sponge soaked in the same inks I used for the front.

( Click on the photo to enlarge it )

(Tip... to finish you can highlight areas with gilding wax, which I haven't done on this one,but have on other canvas's that I've done.)

So here we are, my finished canvas, sorry about the background view, it was such a bright day that the light in my kitchen was better for the photo...

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and I am so pleased you read through to the end...

Don't forget we still have 2 weeks left in our June Challenge...which you can find HERE

Monday, 1 June 2015

As always we were all blown away by your fabulous projects for our challenge last month...it's a treat to scroll through each one and visit your blogs...and a Big Thank You to all of you for supporting Rhedd's Challenges.....also a Thank You to Pamellia for being our GDT.

I must announce our Winner for May's challenge,who was chosen by design team member Nanette and her winner is.....

No.46...Laila aka Koneko2

Congratulations, such a wonderful entry, please grab your Winners Badge from our side bar.....
I would like to invite you to be our Guest Designer for July, if you would like to accept the offer please contact Sandie here sandie.w@live.co.uk and she will give you the details.

Our Guest Designerthis month is Joi@RR

Wow - the incredible Sandie and her fabulous design team have given me the SUPER FINE privilege of Guest Designer for June. Thanks Bunches to you all.

I am Joi from Texas - known by most as Joi@RR because I do all my artwork here on the ranch. At 62, I am a happily married, retired social worker. Hubby and I celebrated our 43rd anniversary a few days ago. Our daughter, son-in-law and four PRECIOUS grandchildren live far away so we don't see the but once a year. That gives me a lot of time for art!

I learned to quilt, knit, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider, and make stained glass after I was married. However I had never picked up a paint brush to paint on canvas, create paper art such as cards, or do any type of mixed media/altered art until about a year ago. I LOVE IT! I feel so blessed to be able to have this time for me to finally express myself in ways I never imagined I could or would.

You have no idea what an honor it is for me to be here today to share with you this project for Rhedd's Creative Spirit. For the full story on this creation... Mr. Pygmy Bear... and to learn how he got his name... visit me at http://joiattheranch.blogspot.com/

This was an old, worn out, forgotten breakable plastic statue that is approx. 9" x 14". I redid his body with paint and the cliff he stands on with refinished with alcohol inks. The base has lots of items gathered from around the ranch as well as a few little metal critter embellishments. Mr. Pygmy Bear was sooooooooo much fun to make for you!

Have a happy and creative JUNE. Please send in LOTS of entries to this months challenge because I am VERY EXCITED to being able to leave personal comments for each of you. Big hugs. j.

This month our Teamies have created some stunning projects for your inspiration.....Remember to pop back on the 15th June to see Sandie's (aka Rhedd) mid month tutorial for her canvas below.